Person:Lewis Riley (1)

Family called him Lou/Lew. SS#= 482-03-5035. He reportedly lost his farm and part-ownership of local bank in the great depression, when he began heavy drinking for years and was booted out by first wife Rosie. However, this story does not match data that I found among records.

He worked several years as parking attendant for his son, Fred, and remarried in later life, living just West of Des Moines until his death.  I do not recall the name of his second wife, but recall that I liked her when I met her (only once). I have not pursued more data on him as yet.  I always enjoyed time with grampa Lew, but never dared mention him to gramma Rose (she remained very mad at him, and men in general, until her death).  Ironically, I think his second wife may have been named Rose also (see SS 480-80-6686 born IA 15 Jan 1896 and died Des Moines, Aug. 1973).

1920 Census for Monticello Twp., Wright Co., MN ED96 Pg.64 (reported by USGenWeb volunteer Cheryl ([email protected]), shows Rileys, Lew, 38 farmer pob (place of birth) IA; both parents born in IA; Rosa, wife, 38 pob Iowa and both parents born in Iowa; children all single and all born in Iowa: Roy, 15, Argus, 10, George, 7, Elizabeth, 5, and Fred, 1. Notice spelling Lew (not Lou), that Roy is older than Argus, and everyone listed as born in Iowa. 1930 Census Roll 667 pg. 16B (or pg. 176?) for Lee Twp Ward 7, Des Moines, Polk, IA on Capital Ave (very near to Cortes and Ida Braught or Homer/Lora Braught..with children, including Ralph who married Elizabeth Riley living on Capital Ave) on Walnut Ave. were the Lew Riley family with the following data: Lew, 48 auto mechanic, b. IA and both parents b. IA; Rose, 48, b. IA and both parents born IA; children all reportedly born in Iowa, Argus, 20 auto manufactor fender worker; George, 18 auto factory sander, Elizabeth (Betty), 15; Freddie, 11, and Frances, 6. Notice that Roy (oldest) was not with this family at the time (seek separate census listing). My mother wrote that she thought her father's family came from Ohio, but records say they were both born in Iowa. About 1995 Roy Riley, Jr. called from Des Moines, IA for more data than I had, but said he was beginning some research on the Riley family. I had very little Riley data at that time and we did not collaborate on that research. Mother also recorded Roy's birthday as August 1.